Tell me about the 22 Hornet

Don't know anything about this cartridge, but have seen some comments on it lately bragging about it.

Summarize the Hornet for me and compare it to some other common cartridges.....

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HARV6

February 1, 2012, 12:02 AM

I'd say Wikipedia covers it pretty well.

rule303

February 1, 2012, 12:07 AM

A very efficient little cartridge, particularly for a handloader. It can top 3,000 fps with 35gr bullets and uses very little powder to do so. It has longer barrel life than most other .22 centerfires, and a much quieter report. It is limited to the lighter weight bullets due to the barrel twist in most rifles, so it is useful out to 250yds or so on prairie dog sized targets.

Tomcat47

February 1, 2012, 12:18 AM

A Very capable round...

Came in many formats too. I had Thompson Center Contender with 14" barrel, very good performer for coyotes and the like. Groundhogs were a breeze with it.

I had it in a H&R Single shot and have shot a Taurus Raging Hornet....One awesome revolver. Had some bolt rifles chambered in hornet as well. Again capable round. I think it would perform on whitetail as well (100 yards max I would say?)

303tom

February 1, 2012, 01:39 AM

One of the best .22 I have ever shot.........

CooterShooter

February 1, 2012, 02:35 AM

I think it would perform on whitetail as well (100 yards max I would say?)

I donno about that. It's illegal to use the .22 Hornet for deer in my state, and for good reason, IMHO. As far as using it inside 100 yards, I imagine the only folks with the skill to do that consistently are the ones who have had practice doing it by limiting themselves to "ethical ranges", and they're going to go ahead and throw down the extra US$ 8 per centum for a round they know will get the job done. I appreciate the Hornet for it's merits, i.e. efficient load vs. velocity and accuracy, and for the fact that it's a reloadable .22, but when all's said and done I imagine it's a round without a country. I'd hate to say it's just an overpriced groundhog getter, but I don't know what to use it for that other rounds wouldn't suit better. Just my honest opinion. Feel free to enlighten me.

"When a 22 Mag won't cut it, or if you want to reload your own brass, get a 22 Hornet!"

POW!!!!!! BOOM!!!!!! KAZAM!!!!!!!! ZING!!!!!!

SeriousGunBlog

February 1, 2012, 08:00 AM

Feeds well, inexpensive for performance and provides plenty of velocity.

Skyshot

February 1, 2012, 09:22 AM

I a great little varmit round for small farm communities where you want to keep the noise levels down.

viking499

February 1, 2012, 09:41 AM

I a great little varmit round for small farm communities where you want to keep the noise levels down.

How quiet is it?

subdude

February 1, 2012, 09:44 AM

Great little round. 35 grain bullet over a case full of Lil Gun and small pistol primers will give you dead nuts accuracy. I have an old Stevens 322 that will easily do sub 1 moa groups with it as long as I'm doing my job. Like others have said, mild report as well. One of my favorite rounds.

TwoEyedJack

February 1, 2012, 11:21 AM

I have investigated this round before, but have not acquired one yet. Based on my research, if/when I get one, it will probably go to the gunsmith to have the chamber reamed to K-Hornet. I reload everything, and the K version has a sharp shoulder for headspacing. The original has problems with head separations.

bracer

February 2, 2012, 05:35 AM

Since the 221 Fireball round is available in rifles I dont know why anyone would wont a 22 Hornet rifle . I have had a 22 Hornet for some time but since getting the Fireball its stays at home. The Hornet was developed back in the 1930s . The wild cat blown out K chamber overcomes some of the problems with the long tapered thin brass case. Hornady has come out with a new modern 17 Cal Hornet case that shoots a 20 Gr bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3750 ft/sec. A 25 Gr bullet can be reloaded with a Max load of 9.1 Gr of Lil Gun powder and get 3350 ft/sec from a 24 inch barrel. Why consider the old Hornet when now there two for better cartridges, the 221 Fireball and the Hornady 17 Hornet ?

StrawHat

February 2, 2012, 07:45 AM

The Hornet is a good little cartridge and when used by someone who knows his rifle/load it can do amazing things. I have heard it was a favorite of Eskimos for use on walrus and other large animals they harvest for food. I have a rifle chambered for the forerunner of the Hornet, the 22 WCF and find it a good cartridge even though a bit slower than the Hornet. Eventually, I will get a Hornet but for now, the 22 WCF fills the bill as a small game/varmint round.

I have heard the old saw about seperations of the standard case but of the several Hornets I know, no one has had a seperation. Neck sizing does a lot to overcome stretching so learn how to resize the cartridge for your chamber. The Hornet is a natural for cast bullets and there are a lot of molds in the 40 to 50 grain range.

MachIVshooter

February 2, 2012, 01:24 PM

How quiet is it?

It's not "quiet"; you still need hearing protection. It just has no where near the report of the larger .22 centerfires. The sound of a .223 or .22-250 carries much further and with more authority.

I love my little hornet, it's great for teaching new shooters on scoped rifles. Virtually no recoil, but performs much better at > 100 yards than a rimfire.

dugasgunner

February 2, 2012, 07:43 PM

No need for an HMR or a WMR when you go hornet. Got rid of mine anyway. The hornet covers everything the LR can't get. It covers everything from a 250 yds marmots to a close range yote. Very versatile, easy and cheap to reload. Love mine, BTW My dedicated yote rifle is a 222.

VancMike

February 2, 2012, 09:57 PM

"the K version has a sharp shoulder for headspacing. The original has problems with head separations...."

and:

"blown out K chamber overcomes some of the problems with the long tapered thin brass case"

To state the obvious: like all rimmed cartridges, 22 Hornet headspaces on the rim. I've reloaded some of my Hornet brass over 15 times.....those "case separations" and "problems with long tapered thin brass" should be showing up any time now..... :rolleyes:

I'll let you know when it happens. Tune in....oh, say, 5 years from now for an update.....:scrutiny:

Float Pilot

February 3, 2012, 12:48 AM

The Hornet is a classic cartridge and a bit of an oddball. It looks like a 30-30 round that was put in a hot dyer for so long that it shrank.
I thought about making mine a K-Hornet... but since it has to be fire formed, that was one more firing on the brass just to size the stuff... So why bother.

I have a Ruger M77/22 Hornet... The tow piece bolt needed to be shimmed and it needed a new barrel crown... Oh and a trigger job... But now it does OK with some loads.
The report (sound) is about like a 22 mag rifle. With loads using trail-boss powder it is like a loud pellet gun.

Same powder load with a 55 grain Hornady SP
gave 2,800 fps and a 1.75 inch group at 100 yards.

Also tried some very quite TRAIL BOSS loads.

3.0 grains of TRAIL BOSS, WW Brass and a Magnum Pistol primer.

34 gr Dog Town bullet was 1,625 fps and a 1.5 inch group at 100 yards. IT WAS WINDY.
40 gr Sierra HP was 1,414 fps and a 2.0 inch group at 100 yards
55 grain Hornady SP. NEVER LEFT THE BARREL.... DO NOT ATTEMPT>

I got my first rimfire rifle in 1949, first center fire rifle in 1952, started reloading my own ammo in 1953. I own 17 HM2, 17 HMR, 17 Fireball, 17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 22 RF, 22WMR, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 220 Swift ,243Win, and big game rifles. Most all of my shooting has ben at prairie dogs with reloaded ammo. Of the center fire rifles the 22 Hornet produces the lowest velocity of .224 caliber cases. I have never heard of a 22 Hornet winning at any bench rest competion. For some one who wonts a lower muzzle blast rifle there is the 5.7X28MM cartridge that produces more velocity than the 22 WMR and just a bit less than the 22 Hornet.-- For someone who looking for their first centerfire varmint rifle , the 22 Hornet is the least capable of the lot.

GooseGestapo

February 3, 2012, 05:22 AM

For those who doubt; I carried a Hornet in my p/u for dispatching crippled, nuisance deer for a number of years. But, I'm also a reloader and bullet caster. I've got a superlative 50gr FNGC mould (Lyman #225415) that is accurate.
I've taken more deer with a Hornet than all other cartridges except my .257Robt. Over 50. Only two have required more than one shot. They were both my fault, and if had been shot with a .30/06, would have still needed a second shot.
But, if it "ain't legal, it ain't legal". You can't (legally) use it. But, in my state, neither were the .25/20, .256mag, .30Carbine, .32/20, .32/40, .38/40, .357mag (rifles!?), and several others. About 1989, I served on a legal review committee, where we recommended some legislative changes. We went to a neighboring states "model" where .22cf and larger with "expanding type bullets" (not fmj...) were legal. No sleep has been lost since over "caliber" wars.... However, we didn't forsee the advent of the .20's and .17's that have proliferated recently.... But, no clamering for legalizing these that I'm aware of. Such as with the .357mag, most of the "previously" illegal weapons are essentially as effective as the .30/30 within their limitations.

The Hornet is exceptionally efficient. And thats why I bought my first one, and have essentially not been without one since 1976. Essentially as inexpensive to shoot/reload for as a .38/.357mag handgun. You can use any 50gr or lighter .22 bullet and many different powders for .22cb to .357mag power levels.

In college I used CCI magnum pistol primers and air-rifle pellets to nearly irradicate pigeons from my apartment complex. Only my room-mate and two "like minded" neighbors knew what was happening. Think long-range air rifle/pistol (T/C Contender).

Make no mistake, the Hornet isn't "quiet" with full powered ammo. Just not as much blast as an AR15, which is nearly as loud as an '06.

Picher

February 3, 2012, 08:07 AM

Like most folks, I started shooting with a .22 LR, then jumped to .30-06 for varmint and deer. Then, I discovered the .22-250, and much later, the .223 Rem in a bolt rifle. It's hard for me to think of the Hornet as something I need because recoil and a bit of noise is not a problem for me.

More recently, I bought a .22 WMR bolt action for pests around the house. It's working great and I enjoy being able to take a lot of ammo when doing a walkabout and shooting at a few inanimate objects on the property.

I don't see any room in my gun cabinet for a smaller centerfire than a .223 Rem at this point. Ammo is more affordable for the .223 Rem and the cartridge is more accurate at 100 yards and up, especially in the wind, and it's always windy here, so much that I've gone up to a .243 Win for shots to over 200 yards on eastern coyotes.

If a Hornet does it for most of your shooting, great! However, there's a reason it's not more popular. It just doesn't have the trajectory, energy, affordability, and military roots of the .223 Rem, which has caused the downfall of a lot of fine cartridges, including the .222 Rem.

baylorattorney

February 3, 2012, 08:31 AM

I've had game run off ne'er to be found after a good hit from the .22 hornet. I used to swear by it. Not anymore.

Most all of my shooting has ben at prairie dogs with reloaded ammo. Of the center fire rifles the 22 Hornet produces the lowest velocity of .224 caliber cases.

Kinda follows, since it's got the smallest case, dontha think?

I have never heard of a 22 Hornet winning at any bench rest competion.

It was not designed, intended or appropriate for use in BR, so naturally, it holds no titles. Neither do a whole lot of other cartridges. So what exactly is your point with that remark?

For some one who wonts a lower muzzle blast rifle there is the 5.7X28MM cartridge that produces more velocity than the 22 WMR and just a bit less than the 22 Hornet.

So, let me get this straight......You are touting a niche cartridge with inferior performance for which new unprimed brass is completely unavailable as somehow being "better" than the Hornet??? :rolleyes:

For someone who looking for their first centerfire varmint rifle , the 22 Hornet is the least capable of the lot.

For distance, we're all in agreement. And no one here is suggesting the Hornet is superior to .222, .223 and up for long range varminting. It shines when the range is moderate, especially when noise is of some concern. The lowly Hornet also gets over 80% of the .223's velocity with less than half the powder charge using 40 gr. bullets in both...........

JohnM

February 3, 2012, 12:17 PM

I don't follow all the negative remarks thrown at the 22 Hornet.
Sure, it's an old cartridge with lots more that do more.
But, it's still a great oldie and a lot of fun.
If I found another one on a rifle I liked I'd grab it in a heartbeat!

Vern Humphrey

February 3, 2012, 12:40 PM

The Hornet is actually the .22 Winchester Central Fire (WCF). The .22 WCF was developed in the mid-1880s as a black powder cartridge. Apparently the intent was to produce something with more oomph than the currently available rim fires and to be reloadable.

The black powder heritage is apparent when you look at the case. Black powder combustion products are from 40% to 60% solid (depending on composition) and that's what creates all that fouling. A small bore, plus a large charge makes for real fouling problems. The case is therefore tapered, with a sloping shoulder -- that makes it easier to extract from a badly fouled chamber. That same shape also makes for less than stellar accuracy. Especially when coupled with 19th Century standards in manufacturing -- a standard .22 WCF case is a pretty sloppy fit in a standard .22 WCF chamber.

The .22 WCF didn't set the world on fire, but it did hang on until the 1920s, when the boys at Springfield developed a smokeless powder load that better than doubled the velocity of the .22 Long Rifle, and with a 45 grain bullet, rather than a 40 grain bullet, which was more or less standard in the .22 LR. They then re-chambered M1922s for the .22 WCF, and modified the bolt, firing pin and extractor. The story is that when Colonel Townsend Whelan first shot the smokeless powder version of the .22 WCF he remarked, "Boy, that's a hornet!" and the name stuck.

The Hornet was adopted by Winchester, and was soon surpassed by other .22 center fires, but it has seen occasional times of modest popularity. The general pattern is a new generation of shooters is intrigued by the idea behind the Hornet -- a little case, a little bit of powder, and a fairly mild report with very low recoil. But then reality sets in, the Hornet just isn't that accurate.

I admit to falling prey to the lure of the Hornet -- my Hornet is a Kimber M82, and I've had it for many years. Here in the Ozarks, it makes a fine crow and coyote rifle. Sharp-eyed people may note that Arkansas game laws specify "nothing larger than .22 rim fire" for crows. But there is an exception -- during coyote season. Coyote season runs from the First of July through the 28th of February, then starts again about a week or so later with the opening of spring turkey season, and runs through the 13th of June. In other words, it's pert' near always coyote season in Arkansas, and you can use the Hornet on crows to your heart's content.

My M82 is a beautiful little rifle, but it just wasn't all that accurate. To me, the Hornet is like a red-headed woman -- alluring, frustrating, attractive and capricious. Being a rather stubborn type, I set out to master the Hornet, and eventually developed a load that will regularly shoot sub-inch groups at 100 yards. Here is the secret to the Hornet.

1. Fire form your brass. The case is a sloppy fit in the chamber, but once fired in your rifle, it is a perfect fit -- in your chamber.

2. Disturb the brass as little as possible. The standard reloading die puts a lot of stress on a case, and Hornet brass is thin. We have to remember that when neck resizing, all the force is transmitted from the head to the neck through the walls of the case. I use a Lee Collet Die, where the only stress is radial.

3. Don't resize the whole neck. The Lee Collet Die is designed to size the whole neck and activates when the base of the collet tube contacts the shell holder. You can't adjust it by screwing it in or out. I put a couple of washers on the shell holder, around the case. The collet tube contacts the washers and activates early. You can look at my neck-sized cases and see a line around the neck, about half way between mouth and shoulder. The unsized portion of the neck acts as a pilot, centering the neck in the chamber.

4. Use Hodgdon’s Li’l Gun – it develops lower pressures than other powders, but with its prolonged peak, it produces high velocities. Typically, a case full of Li'l Gun will develop about 28,000 CUP, and the Hornet's max is 40,000 CUP. I don't weigh my charges; I use the case itself as a dipper. I fill the case and strike it off (draw a straight edge across the case mouth to brush off any excess powder) then tap the case lightly to settle the powder a fraction of an inch. This load breaks 3,000 fps over my Shooting Chrony.

5. Use the right bullet. No rifle will shoot more accurately than the bullets it is fed. I use the 35 grain Hornady V-Max. It shoots accurately, and is deadly on everything from crows to coyotes. But it has one even more important characteristic. Hornets usually shoot best when the bullet is loaded close to the origin of the rifling. This usually results in an overall cartridge length that won't feed through the magazine. V-Max bullets in .22 caliber all have about the same shank length -- the weight differences come in the length of the nose. The 35 grain looks like it started out to be a round-nose bullet, and changed its mind at the last minute. You can load the 35 grain V-Max out to where the shoulder of the bullet actually touches the origin of the rifling, and still have an OAL that will feed through the magazine.

benzy2

February 3, 2012, 01:05 PM

The problem I have with a hornet is that you basically are forced to reload it. With that being the case, you could just as easily down load a .223 to match performance of the hornet and then have all the advantages that come with the .223 case (a little easier to load, much more availability of cases, cheaper cases, etc). You also have the option to then load them to full potential if needed/desired. The reason I'd jump on a .22 hornet is if it comes is a more handy rifle than a similar priced .223.

All that said, the hornet does a lot of things right. The K-hornet removes a lot of the complaints of the standard hornet case design and makes it easier on reloaders. Some claim to never have a problem with the standard hornet case but others, even veteran reloaders, do have initial growing pains learning how to load that little case properly. The hornet plays a great role in that it pushes varmint type bullets pretty fast yet is much quieter for neighbors and is much more efficient in it's powder use. If you live with neighbors within a few hundred yards, especially the type that aren't gun friendly, it's a much better option for short range varmints than a full power .223 or up and extends range a bit from .22lr. Sure, it isn't the round I'd take to camp Perry to put on the 600 yard line but it does what it was intended to do very well and is a great option for people with sound restrictions.

DM~

February 3, 2012, 02:37 PM

Over the years, i've had several Hornets... They are all looong gone!

I don't see why anyone would pick a Hornet over a .223 Rem., these days?

The .223 can be loaded to the same velocity just as cheaply, the brass is better and cheaper, and if you want, you can load the .223 to higher velocities. Also, the long necks on the Hornet are thin and easy to crinkle while loading them.

Personally, i like the 22WMR MUCH better than the Hornet, and i don't have to reload it!! If i need more velocity than that, i move up to the .223 Rem...

DM

BrocLuno

February 3, 2012, 03:46 PM

Every 22 collector has to have at least one 22 Hornet :)

MachIVshooter

February 3, 2012, 09:58 PM

I don't see why anyone would pick a Hornet over a .223 Rem., these days?

-Lighter, more compact cartridge; Less burdensome in your pockets when walking in the field in pursuit of critters that are numerous, requiring significant amounts of ammunition be carried

-More efficient; As I already mentioned, the Hornet wil achieve over 80% of a .223's velocity with 40 gr. bullets using less than half the powder charge

-Mild report; Barely louder than a .22 WMR, they don't draw the kind of unwanted attention the .223 and other, larger centerfires do in certain settings.

-Nostalgia; They're just plain nifty, and represent an epoch in high velocity, small bore cartridge development.

The Hornet may not be for everyone, but to call it useless is just plain silly. It has it's place, and despite owning rifles in .17 Mach 2, .17 Rem, .22 WMR, .223, .220 Swift and 6mm Rem, I still find times when the Hornet's qualities make it better suited to the task at hand than the others. Like dispatching praire dogs in a rural but settled area; One place I used to frequent required shooting further than a .17 or .22 Rimfire can, but there were enough residences around I didn't want to draw the kind of attention my .17 Rem, .223's or .220 Swift would. The Hornet is just right for such an application.

DM~

February 3, 2012, 10:24 PM

-Lighter, more compact cartridge; Less burdensome in your pockets when walking in the field in pursuit of critters that are numerous, requiring significant amounts of ammunition be carried

-More efficient; As I already mentioned, the Hornet wil achieve over 80% of a .223's velocity with 40 gr. bullets using less than half the powder charge

-Mild report; Barely louder than a .22 WMR, they don't draw the kind of unwanted attention the .223 and other, larger centerfires do in certain settings.

-Nostalgia; They're just plain nifty, and represent an epoch in high velocity, small bore cartridge development.

The Hornet may not be for everyone, but to call it useless is just plain silly. It has it's place, and despite owning rifles in .17 Mach 2, .17 Rem, .22 WMR, .223, .220 Swift and 6mm Rem, I still find times when the Hornet's qualities make it better suited to the task at hand than the others. Like dispatching praire dogs in a rural but settled area; One place I used to frequent required shooting further than a .17 or .22 Rimfire can, but there were enough residences around I didn't want to draw the kind of attention my .17 Rem, .223's or .220 Swift would. The Hornet is just right for such an application.

Light load a 223, and it will have the same noise level as the hornet, as for carrying rounds, where do you walk that that's an issue??? A 10yr old could carry more than enough 223's to last a decent shooting session!

Nostalgia is the only thing that fits, and like i already said, i've owned numerous Hornets, from 52 winchesters to contenders. None of them made me want to continue with the quirks of the hornet case.

For the power it has, i'd rather shoot the 22WMR, as least them i don't have to pack the brass back home, and reload it! lol

DM

Countryguy1982

February 3, 2012, 10:24 PM

I have owned several 22 hornets over the years. I have hunted everything from yotes to deer with them. ( any 22 caliber centerfire expanding on up) is legal to deer hunt with in my state. Did it work on deer? sure it did just fine. ( one double shoulder) 3 neck shots and one just a tad far back , bout 3 inches behind shoulder. Is it a good choice for big game? probably not....... I will say this. .... Over the years , i have learned to calm myself down alot..... IF i get nervous , its usually ( after ) the shot. SO i somewhat consider myself seasoned. I take my shots. and only the right shots..... Marginal shots are not great with this caliber.... You don't have the room for error. a half ass shot and you will probably have a wounded animal. that will die a slow painful death....... In the hands of the right person. Sure it would probably be just fine.... But ask yourself this...... how many times do you think you will get the perfect shot in real hunting situations. I personally havn't had all that many.... So step up a lil to a bigger caliber an eliminate having to let that big trophy horn walk..... On the other hands . 22 hornet DID GREAT on yotes....... just rolled them a flip.... But from my experience anything from a 22 mag up works great on them. .... from what i've seen they don't seem to be all that tough of an animal.... If your wanting a 22 cal for target shooting. get a .223... hard to beat $7.00 a box for ammo... Summing it up....22 hornet is a fine caliber in the hands of the right person , with the right patience and disipline for taking optimal shots...... in the hands of a novice for hunting.... step it up a few calibers till you get some experience under your belt at least... if you are just wanting to shoot.... hell any caliber you get to squeeze the trigger on is fun and worth it lol. just watch your wallet.... it goes empty fast if you don't reload.

MachIVshooter

February 3, 2012, 10:35 PM

Light load a 223, and it will have the same noise level as the hornet

I own/have owned more than a dozen .223's of all flavors and have loaded it all the way up and down the spectrum and beyond. At any level, it is louder and less efficient than a Hornet. The .223 it a good cartridge, and certainly better than a Hornet for the guy who wants to do as much as he can with as few guns as possible.

Me? I've sold off most of my .223's, now only having a few semi-autos. For Varminting, the .22 Hornet is great out to 300 yards and doesn't have the overheating issues of .223 and up. For longer shots, my .220 Swift outclasses the .223 by a big margin. For predators where pelts matter, the .17 Rem is superior to the .223 (tiny entry wound, no exit hole).

IMO, .223 is a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none kind of cartridge. Hence, as I said, it makes the most sense for the guy who wants decent capabilities over a wider range with one gun as opposed to having multiple firearms with more specific applications.

as for carrying rounds, where do you walk that that's an issue???

50 or 80 rounds of hornet in your jean pockets is less bulky than 50 or 80 rounds of .223. When the shooting is well within the capabilites of the Hornet, why would I carry more bulky ammunition and burn more powder?

DM~

February 3, 2012, 10:46 PM

50 or 80 rounds of hornet in your jean pockets is less bulky than 50 or 80 rounds of .223. When the shooting is well within the capabilites of the Hornet, why would I carry more bulky ammunition and burn more powder?

And 50 rounds of 22WMR takes up even less space, and 22LR less yet...

No matter, i'm glad you like your hornet, but to me, the WMR does all i need it to do out to 150, and then i step up to something bigger than a hornet.

To tell the truth, i went from the hornet to the 222 Rem., but today i'd go to the .223 and never look back. I still have more than one 222 and more than one 223, but my 22WMR's get shot the most. Plinking rounds are $8.95/50 and hunting rounds are $10.50/50 and i don't have to pick them up or reload them!!

I like playing with the 22 Hornet. It is challenging and somewhat interesting to hand-load. And it is very pleasant to shoot. As was the 218 Bee.

Yes I still have a couple 223s and a 22-250 ever since I burned the barrel out of my 220 Swift. (The 220 Swift was fun to play with as well since it is something of an oddball.)
But they (223, 22-250) are so predicable that they have become boring....

But then again I like the 38WFC, 25-20, 45-75 and 50-90...

The 22 Hornet is fine for the gentleman hand-loader. Somebody who likes old wood and steel over plastic and alloy.

cpt-t

February 5, 2012, 05:05 PM

I have been hunting with a 22 HORNET for 40 plus years since 1963. My Son and I shoot CZ 527 in the 22 HORNET his is a FS model and mine is the American model. They are both scarey accurate and both shoot the same load under a 1/2 at a 100yrds. We load 35gr V-MAX`S and use IMR 4227 and H-110 2860 to 3100 fps. Low noise level, low recoil if any, and very light to carry, super for and old fat guy. I use mine as a walking around rifle alot shoot mainley pd`s , ground hogs, and coyotes.It is a 200 to 250 yd rifle for pd`s and ground hogs and I have killed some coyotes past 200yds but that is pushing things I think. One of the best things about the rifle is you don`t scare the farmer or his wife or the livestock even up close to the barn. I went to a farm last fall that the old couple had not let anybody hunt for ever and the coyotes had distroyed there lamb crop and their chickens and ducks they had to keep cooped up coyotes would take them the daytime. I shot 4 coyotes in less than 3 hrs they were not afraid and the low noise level didn`t seem to bother them. When I got back to farm house the farmer wife said I am sorry you didn`t see any thing. Then I told her to go look in the back of my pick-up. They said they had never heard me shoot at all. I shoot on them and there friends a lot no. Try a 22 hornet they are cheap to load for and you just can`t beat a CZ they are just great and their triggers are unbelivable. ken

Float Pilot

February 5, 2012, 10:49 PM

I just took mine (Ruger M77/22 Hornet) out to the range today.
I tried some CCI 450 magnum primers just to see what happens. Basically the magnum primer adds the same velocity as 0.3 grains of Lil Gun powder.
With 12.7 grains of Lil Gun and virgin WW-Super brass I was pushing 40 grain V-max bullets at 3,154 fps on average. But the group was not nearly as good as it is with standard primers. I managed an inch with one group when the bore was dirty, but in general it was not a very good load. 3,154 is a touch hot, although the brass looks Ok.
For some reason my rifle likes flat based bullets better than the boat-tailed V-max.

I would love to have a CZ or some other quality rifle in 22 Hornet instead of the Ruger.

MachIVshooter

February 5, 2012, 10:55 PM

For some reason my rifle likes flat based bullets better than the boat-tailed V-max

That's not at all uncommon, and AFAIK, is the reason for rebated boattail designs.

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